A food allergy, an immune reaction to a normally harmless substance in a food, occurs in about 4 to 8 percent of children and about 2 percent of adults, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Food allergies are characterized by widespread inflammation that may be mild and barely noticeable or severe and life-threatening. Symptoms include hives, swelling, cramping and indigestion, wheezing, congestion, dizziness and fainting. Your brain may be affected by food allergies in a variety of ways.
Insomnia
Food allergies can contribute to insomnia, according to James Braly, M.D., author of the book "Hidden Food Allergies: The Essential Guide to Uncovering Hidden Food Allergies and Achieving Permanent Relief." If a short water or vegetable juice fast reverses your insomnia, it may be a clue that the underlying problem is related to a food allergy, says Braly. Food allergies can affect your brain in a similar way to alcohol. Allergies and alcohol both deplete certain B vitamins that are necessary for production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin, which modulate your sleep cycles.
Sleepiness
Increased sleepiness can also result from food allergies. Allergies to dairy, eggs, wheat and grain are the most common culprits, according to Stephen Gislason, M.D., author of the book "Aching and Fatigue." A sedative effect within an hour of eating signals a potential food allergy. Drinking caffeinated beverages may prop you up enough to get through the morning or afternoon. However, beneath the masking effect of the stimulant, your brain function suffers. Additionally, alcohol use can increase the effects of food allergies on your brain.
Headaches
Migraine headaches are often related to food allergies, according to Steve Hickey, Ph.D., author of "The Vitamin Cure for Migraines: How to Prevent and Treat Migraine Headaches Using Nutrition and Vitamin Supplementation." Also, you may develop food allergies that cause migraines in certain phases of your life. Foods that you previously consumed without a problem may suddenly trigger headaches or other allergy symptoms. A hypoallergenic diet can decrease migraine frequency and severity up to 66 percent and may even eliminate these intense headaches entirely.
Cognition
Your cognitive function can be affected by allergies. Forgetfulness and decreased mental sharpness, known as brain fog, may occur within minutes of eating a food to which you are allergic, according to naturopath Elisa Lottor, Ph.D., N.D., author of the book "Female and Forgetful: A Six-Step Program to Help Restore Your Memory and Sharpen Your Mind." Some food allergies arise when your intestinal tract absorbs poorly digested food particles. Once in the bloodstream, your immune system identifies them as foreign and attacks them. The allergic response results in widespread inflammation that reaches your brain, where it may exert a variety of effects, including disorientation, depression and difficulty reasoning.
References
- "Hidden Food Allergies: The Essential Guide to Uncovering Hidden Food ..."; James Braly; 2009
- "Aching & Fatigue"; Stephen J. Gislason; 2011
- "The Vitamin Cure for Migraines: How to Prevent and Treat Migraine Headaches ... "; Steve Hickey; 2010
- "Female and Forgetful: A Six-Step Program to Help Restore Your Memory and ..."; Elisa Lottor and Nancy P. Bruning; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Food Allergy
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